Lamp

ABSTRACT

A battery-operated lamp is provided with an L-shaped base and an offset translucent globe or cover housing. The bulb is actuated by a position-responsive switch whereby the lamp may be turned on or off by tilting the lamp onto one of two faces of the base. The configuration is such that cover housing remains elevated and the lamp has the same appearance in either the on or the off position.

United States Patent 11 1 Park Feb. 19, 1974 [54] LAMP 3,283,136 11/1966Dinkler et a1 240/10 R 3,531,637 9 1970 N Lh 240 10.6 R [76] InventorJem'ymmg Park, 55 Naugler Ave-1 3,610,918 1011971 Bidet 24 0 10 RMarlboro, Mass. 01752 [22] Filed: Apr. 17, 1972 Primary Examiner-JosephF. Peters 1 Assistant Examiner-E. M. Hero [211 Appl' 244467 Attorney,Agent, or FirmMorse, Altman, Oates &

Hello [52] US. Cl 240/10 R, 240/2 S, 240/41.55, [51] I t C! F 2 l 1 /0 2[57] ABSTRACT 11 p [58] Field of Search 240/2 G 2 S, 10 R, 10 P 106, Abattery-operated lamp is provlded with an L-sha ed 240/81 R 4155 baseand an offset translucent globe or cover hous ng. The bulb is actuatedby a position-responsive swltch hereby the lamp may be turned on or offby tilting [56] References Cited w the lamp onto one of two faces of thebase. The con- UNITED STATES PATENTS figuration is such thatcover'housing remains elevated 3,684,882 8/1972 Mininno 6t 81 240/10 Rand the has the ame appearance in either the on 2,572,760 10 1951Rikelman 240/6.4 w or the off position 3,321,618 5/1967 Goldbaum et a1.240/41.55 2,758,195 8/1956 Ludwig 240/2 S 5 Claims, 9 Drawing FiguresPATENTEB FEB l 9 I974 FIGS FIG.7

LAMP

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of thelnvention DETAILEDDESCRIPTION'I'OF THEFREFER'RED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawingsand to'FIGS. '1 and 2 This invention relates generally to lamps and morein particular, the reference character lo'ge'n'erally indiparticularlyis directed towards a battery-operated lamp that is actuated by'aposition-responsive switch.

2."Summary of the Prior Art Battery-operated lamps are available in awide variety of designs and for various purposes such as emergencylights, flashlightspcamping and the like. Batteryoperated table lampshave also'been produced, particularly for use on outdoorrpatioswhereelectrical outlets may not be readily available. It hasalso beenproposed -to employ position-responsive switches as a means for iturninga'lamp on or off. However, lamps embodying such :features thus far havenot'beensatisfactory from .the standpoint of cost, convenience,reliabilityof operation and illumination. Accordingly, it is an objectof the present invention to provide a new and improved battery-operatedlamp actuated by change of angular position. A further object of thisinvention is to provide housing remains out of contact with anysupporting surface regardless of the operative position of the lampbase.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention features a battery-operated lampthat is actuated by change of angular position comprising an L-shapedbase and an offset translucent cover housing detachably connectedthereto. Batteries are mounted' within the base in each leg thereof toprovide balance and a bulb is also mounted in the base to extend intothe cover housing. A position responsive switch is in a circuit betweenthe batteries and the bulb so that, when the lamp is resting on one faceof the base the bulb will be on, whereas if the lamp is'tipped 90 torest'on the other base the bulb will go off. The offset positioning ofthe cover housing maintains the cover housing portion raised above thesupporting surface to provide a wide area of illumination withoutmarring either the cover housing or the furniture on which the lamp isresting. An alternative arrangement includes a rechargeable batteryemployed in place of dry cells.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of alamp cover housing made according to the invention,

FIG. 2 is a view in perspective of the base portion of the lamp, 1

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing a modification thereof,

FIG. 4 is a view in side elevation of the assembled lamp,

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing a modified cover housing,

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing the FIG. 5 cover housing inuse, and,

FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 are detailed views showing different types of positionresponsive switches.

cates a cover'housing that is adapted to detachably connect with abase'l2.

The cover housing 10 in FIG. 1 has a cubistic configuration preferablyformed of a translucent plastic material by molding, casting or thelike. The cover housing of FIG. 1 includes top, front and sidewalls 14,16, 18 and 20, respectively of corresponding size and shape and rear andbottom walls 22 and 24, respectively. The walls 22 and 24 are formedwith a common 'L-shaped opening 26 of rectangular outline defined byrectangular openings in each of the walls 22 and 24 inboard from theedges of the walls except at their common cdrner where'the openingsmergeQFormed abouttheope ning 26 is an inwardly projecting lip 28extending along the sides of the opening and at each transverse end thelip is formed with a rib 30 and groove 32 parallel to one another andfacing towards the common corner. The ribs and grooves are adapted toengage with grooves and ribs 34 and 36, respectively, formed in the base12 and by which the parts are snapped into locking engagement.

' Referring now to FIG. 2, the base 12 has an L-shaped Configuration andtypically is of molded plastic construction for mating engagement withthe cubistic cover housing 10. The base 12 is somewhat narrower than.the cover housing so that when the cover housing is mounted to thebase,'the cover'housing will overhang the base to a certain extent forbetter illumination. the base housing 'i'ncludesleg portions 38 and 40of corresponding size, shape and length and fonned with outer flat faces42 and 44 perpendicular to one another and parallel, respectively, tothe rear wall 22 and the bottom wall 24 of the cover housing when thetwo parts are assembled. The matching legs of the base when connected tothe cover housing permit the lamp to rest on either face, 42 or 44,without changing the appear- I ance or balance of the lamp.

The base 12 is hollow and is formed with an L'shaped opening 46 acrossits inner section oppositely the walls 42 and 44 and adapted to registerwith the opening 26 of the cover housing. Formed about the base opening46 is an outwardly projecting marginal lip 48 which bears against thelip 28 of the cover housing when the parts are assembled. The lip 48, atits ends, is formed with the grooves 34 and ribs 36 which arecoextensive with the rib 30 and grooves 32 of the cover housing. Theparts are assembled by snapping the cover housing onto the base. Thisisdone by merely pushing the two parts together with the lip 48 fittingwithin the opening 26 and the cooperating grooves and ribs snappingtogether. The parts are readily separated by prying the cover housingfrom the base until the ribs and grooves are released.

The base 12 is adapted to contain at least a pair of dry cell batteries(not shown), one being mounted within the leg 38 while the other ismounted within the leg 40 so that the lamp will be balanced in eitherrest position. The interior of the base is provided with conductivespring contacts 50 and 52 mounted to the side.- walls of the base bymeans of integral pins 54 or the like. The contact 52 is connected by aconductive strip 56 to a position responsive switch 58 which,in turn, is

connected to a lamp-mounting bracket 60. The bracket 60 is alsoconnected through a conductor 62 to the contact 50. The bracket 60preferably is mounted diagonally in the corner of the base and is formedwith a tapped circular opening 64 to receive a bulb 66' threadedthereto.

The switch 58 of the illustrated embodiment comprises a finger 66pivoted from an arm 70 between a U- shaped offset bend 72 formed in anextension of the bracket 60. The bracket 72 is shaped so that one sideof it will come in contact with the pivoted contact 66 when the base isresting in the position shown in FIG. 2 but if the lamp is tilted 90 sothat the base rests on the face 42, the finger 66 will swing clear ofany conductive element and the circuit will be open. The circuitequivalent of the switch 58 is best shown in FIG. 7.

In FIG. 8, there is illustrated a modification of theposition-responsive switch and in this embodiment an unbalanced swingingarm 74 is pivoted in spaced relation between a pair of diagonallypositioned contacts 76 and 78. In FIG. 8, the switch is shown in theopen position and it will be understood that when the lamp is tilted 90to the right the swinging arm 74 will engage the contacts 76 and 78 toclose the circuit and thereby illuminate the bulb.

In FIG. 9 there is illustrated another modification of the switch and,in this embodiment, a pair of contacts 80 and 82 is mounted within anenclosure 84 carrying and guiding a conductive rod 86 disposed for freemovement therein. The switch of FIG. 9 is shown mounted in the FIG. 3embodiment and is disposed in a diagonal position so that, in the FIG. 3position, for example, the rod 86 will be away from the contacts 80 and82 to keep the switch open. However, if the lamp is tilted 90, the rodwill drop into engagement of both contacts to close the circuit. Theenclosure for the switch is kept sufficiently small to prevent the rodfrom jamming open or closed.

Referring now to FIG. 3 of the drawings, there is illustrated amodification of the invention and, in this embodiment, a rechargeablebattery unit 88 is mounted in a base 12 in place of the dry cellbatteries of the principal embodiment. In the FIG. 3 embodiment, a cord90, having a plug 92, is provided to permit recharging of the battery 88as required. When recharging, the cover housing is first removed and theplug 92 separated from its holding clamp 94 and plugged into a standardAC outlet for a time sufficient to recharge the battery. When recharged,the cord andplug are returned to the base and the cover housingre-attached.

Referring now to FIGS. and 6, there is illustrated a further.modification of the invention and, in this embodiment, a cover housingis provided in a spherical configuration adapted to fit over the samebase 12 of the principal embodiment without altering the baseconfiguration. As best shown in FIG. 5, the spherical cover housing 10'is formed with an arcuate opening 26 about which extends a lip 28' ribsand grooves 30 and 32' by which the cover housing is locked with thebase.

The lamp is particularly useful as a night light where a low-intensitylight is temporarily needed. It is particular useful in a mursery ornear a bedroom phone since it is turned on and off by simply tipping itfrom one base to the other to provide sufficient light to move aboutwith safety. Since the cover housing is maintainedin a havingcooperating 4 raised position whether the lamp is on or off neither thecover housing itself or any supporting furniture surface will bescratched one by the other. By keeping the cover housing raised ineither rest position, any heat that might be given off by the bulb iskept away from the supporting surface and has the further advantages ofcasting better light.

Having thus described the invention what I claim and desire to obtain byLetters Patent of the United States is:

1. A lamp comprising i a. a symmetrical and relatively small opaque L-shaped base comprising a pair of mutually perpendicular matchingrectilinear legs, each of said legs having side walls and one flat face,said flat faces intersecting at a 90 angle for providing balancedsupport for resting said base ona support surface in one of two testpositions,

b. said legs being hollow and formed with an L- shaped opening oppositesaid flat faces,

c. battery mounting means mounted in each leg of said base and adaptedto support a battery in each leg for balancing said base,

d. bulb mounting means mounted within the opening of said legs andadapted to support a bulb extending out through said opening,

e. a position responsive switch mounted in said base and operativelyconnected to said bulb and battery, and 1 f. a symmetrical translucentand relatively large hollow cover housing formed with an L-shapedopening therein adapted to detachably connect with said base and havingan outside dimension in excess of the dimension of the L-shaped openingof said legs,

g. said cover housing opening being in registration with said baseopening when said base and cover housing are connected whereby saidcover housing will overhang the sides and ends of said base legs,

h. said base legs being dimensioned to maintain a clearance between saidcover housing and a support surface when said lamp is resting on eitherof said flat faces.

2. A lamp according to claim 1 wherein said base is formed with a lipextending about said base opening,

. the opposite ends of said base lip being formed with parallel ribs andgrooves, said cover housing being formed with a lip extending'about saidcover housing opening, the opposite ends of said cover housing lip beingformed with parallel ribs and grooves for cooperating engagement withsaid base lip ribs and grooves.

3. A lamp according to claim 1 wherein said switch includes a conductivefinger pivotally mounted in said base and electrically connected at itspivot end to one of said bulb and battery, and a fixed contact mountedadjacent the opposite end of said finger, said contact beingelectrically connected to the other'of said bulb and battery, saidswitch being pivoted about an axis parallel to the intersection of bothof said faces whereby said switch will open and close according to therest position of said lamp.

4. A lamp according to claim 1 wherein said switch includes anenclosure, a pair of contacts mounted in said enclosure, one contactbeing connected to said battery and the other to said bulb, and aconductive member movably disposed in said enclosure and 6 v ancedconductive finger pivoted between said contacts and adapted to engageboth of said contacts in one position of said lamp and-disengagetherefrom in another position.

1. A lamp comprising a. a symmetrical and relatively small opaqueL-shaped base comprising a pair of mutually perpendicular matchingrectilinear legs, each of said legs having side walls and one flat face,said flat faces intersecting at a 90* angle for providing balancedsupport for resting said base on a support surface in one of two restpositions, b. said legs being hollow and formed with an L-shaped openingopposite said flAt faces, c. battery mounting means mounted in each legof said base and adapted to support a battery in each leg for balancingsaid base, d. bulb mounting means mounted within the opening of saidlegs and adapted to support a bulb extending out through said opening,e. a position responsive switch mounted in said base and operativelyconnected to said bulb and battery, and f. a symmetrical translucent andrelatively large hollow cover housing formed with an L-shaped openingtherein adapted to detachably connect with said base and having anoutside dimension in excess of the dimension of the L-shaped opening ofsaid legs, g. said cover housing opening being in registration with saidbase opening when said base and cover housing are connected whereby saidcover housing will overhang the sides and ends of said base legs, h.said base legs being dimensioned to maintain a clearance between saidcover housing and a support surface when said lamp is resting on eitherof said flat faces.
 2. A lamp according to claim 1 wherein said base isformed with a lip extending about said base opening, the opposite endsof said base lip being formed with parallel ribs and grooves, said coverhousing being formed with a lip extending about said cover housingopening, the opposite ends of said cover housing lip being formed withparallel ribs and grooves for cooperating engagement with said base lipribs and grooves.
 3. A lamp according to claim 1 wherein said switchincludes a conductive finger pivotally mounted in said base andelectrically connected at its pivot end to one of said bulb and battery,and a fixed contact mounted adjacent the opposite end of said finger,said contact being electrically connected to the other of said bulb andbattery, said switch being pivoted about an axis parallel to theintersection of both of said faces whereby said switch will open andclose according to the rest position of said lamp.
 4. A lamp accordingto claim 1 wherein said switch includes an enclosure, a pair of contactsmounted in said enclosure, one contact being connected to said batteryand the other to said bulb, and a conductive member movably disposed insaid enclosure and adapted to engage both of said contacts in oneposition of said lamp and disengage said contacts in another position.5. A lamp according to claim 1 wherein said switch includes a pair offixed spaced contacts connected respectfully to said battery and saidbulb and an unbalanced conductive finger pivoted between said contactsand adapted to engage both of said contacts in one position of said lampand disengage therefrom in another position.